Charleston’s historic homes are among the most beautiful in the country, and among the most particular to renovate. A house here carries centuries of architecture, and the goal is never to erase that character or to freeze it in place, but to let it live comfortably now.
Begin with the architecture
Original detail and proportion, mantels, moldings, the way light and rooms were meant to work, should be treated with reverence and used as the foundation for everything that follows. As I often say, nothing begins as a blank slate; the first task is to discover what will ground the identity of the home.
Work slowly and intentionally
The best historic interiors are built up room by room, around a considered palette of character, color, and texture, with fine materials and craftsmanship that will age into the house rather than out of fashion. Renovation in a home like this is stewardship first. My full approach is described in our process.
Balance the two influences
Southern grace and cosmopolitan restraint are what make Charleston interiors sing. Whether it’s a single house South of Broad, a Federal-style home in Harleston Village, or a coastal retreat on the barrier islands, that balance is what keeps a historic home both authentic and alive.
If you’re renovating a historic Charleston home, I’d love to hear about your project as your Charleston interior designer.
